Archives for October 6, 2005

After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast and changed the lives of so many people, the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association joined forces to donate $1 million to the American Red Cross efforts to assist those affected.

'Rick Neuhauf, the owner of Squire’s Tap Room in the City of Tonawanda, said he subscribes to DirecTV, which has yet to reach a deal with the Madison Square Garden sports network to televise Sabres games. An agreement was thought to be a formality weeks ago, but the issue remains unsolved. “I have no idea when it will be settled,” he said. “It sounded like it was all taken care of. I’d like to show the games.”'

'"Not only did they come back with open arms, they really embraced this team right from the very beginning," Golisano said of the near-capacity crowd. "I think it's great. The game was quick and the fans enjoyed it."'

'Well, the lockout is in the past, and hopefully, so is that monotonous style of hockey. Every Sabres game won't be like Wednesday's, but if this level of play keeps up, fans should get their money's worth most nights. And it's been a long time since that could be said about NHL hockey.'

'Outside HSBC Arena, there were leaves in the trees. It was 80 degrees. And after raising the curtain with an entertaining 6-4 victory over the New York Islanders before 15,702 fans, the Sabres are hopeful their last game of the season will be played under a similar outdoor climate.'

'For all the subplots to the Sabres' 6-4 victory over the New York Islanders Wednesday night – Buffalo opening the regular season, the return of Miro Satan and Alexei Zhitnik, the new rules – none was more important than the most obvious: The NHL and excitement that had been absent for a good half-decade were back. Yes, that's what was missing.'